Prevalence of multiple myeloma in patients on hemodialysis programs

A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy that often causes kidney failure, affecting more than 50% of MM patients. Kidney damage in MM is primarily due to cast nephropathy, light chain deposition disease, and amyloidosis. However, there are no data on MM patients undergoing hemodialysis in Ecuador. This study aims to report the prevalence of MM in the country's hemodialysis units.

Methods: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study evaluated the prevalence of MM in hemodialysis patients in Ecuador. A survey was distributed to 23 nephrologists, collecting data on the total number of hemodialysis patients and those diagnosed with MM. Prevalence was calculated using the formula: Prevalence = (MM patients / Total hemodialysis patients) × 1000. Data were analyzed using nonparametric methods in R v4.3.2, with 99% confidence intervals.

Results: were diagnosed with MM, yielding a prevalence of 1.1% (95% CI: 0.7% to 1.6%), or 11.3 cases per 1000 hemodialysis patients. The number of MM cases varied by city, with the highest number reported in Portoviejo (10 cases) and none in Riobamba.

Conclusion: The prevalence of MM in Ecuador is consistent with international reports, with similar findings in the United States (1.0%), Nigeria (0.81%), and other Latin American countries. These findings highlight the need for a national registry to better understand the needs of MM patients on hemodialysis.